Golf club carrier

ABSTRACT

A removable golf club carrier with pivotable legs that have a retracted position and an extended position. The carrier is removably attached to a golf bag and is designed to hold two or more golf clubs. A handle is used to hold and carry the golf club carrier when it is removed from the golf bag, and is also used to secure the golf club carrier to the golf bag. The pivotable legs are attached to the carrier such that when extended they prop the golf club carrier up while the golfer selects a golf club carrier prior to taking a shot. The golf club carrier has storage compartments that keep the shaft and the handle of the golf clubs clean and dry. The pivotable legs prevent the golf club heads from becoming dirty or wet by preventing them from coming in contact with the ground when the golfer stands the golf club carrier on the ground. An optional outer sleeve is also provided to facilitate ease of insertion and removal of the golf club carrier into and out of the golf bag.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to golf equipment. In particular, it relates to a portable carrier that is designed to hold a limited number of clubs, which is designed to fit within a conventional golf bag, and which has retractable legs that prop up the portable carrier for easy access by the golfer.

[0003] 2. Background Art

[0004] The game of golf uses a variety of clubs, many of which have been developed and added to the game over the centuries that the game has been played. Clubs have been developed with wood heads for hitting the ball long distances. Likewise, a series of metal clubs called irons have been developed to provide a player with the ability to hit a golf ball varying distances based on the range characteristics of the particular iron selected. For example, lower irons such as the two, three or four irons would drive balls for longer distances, while higher irons such as the seven, eight, and nine irons would be used to bit a golf ball for shorter distances.

[0005] Due to the number of clubs used by modern golfers, golf bags have been developed to carry the clubs for the player's convenience. Typically, a golf bag is used to carry all of clubs along with a supply of golf equipment to such as balls, tees, etc. Golf bags tend to be large in size and weight due to the number of clubs and other equipment used by a golfer during the course of a game.

[0006] Today, many golfers also use golf carts to reduce the amount of physical exertion required to carry the golf bags, and also to speed up the game by reducing the amount of time which heretofore was consumed by walking the golf course while carrying the golf bag. Unfortunately, golf courses maintain strict rules regarding the use of golf carts and where they may be driven. As a result, when the golfer approaches the green, the golf cart is often diverted around the green area to avoid damaging the fairway or the green. This often causes the golf cart to be stopped at a remote distance from the location of the golf ball. When the golfer gets out of the golf cart, the golfer typically takes several clubs and carries them by hand to avoid the inconvenience of carrying the entire golf bag.

[0007] The reason the golfer carries several clubs when approaching the green is that, based on distance and the lie of the ball, the golfer may use one or more irons (for example: an eight iron, a nine iron, a pitching wedge, or a sand wedge, etc.) to hit the golf ball onto the green, and then use a putter once the golf ball is on the green to hit it into the cup. This inconveniences the golfer in several ways. First, the golfer has to take time to select the desired golf clubs used for the approach from the complete set of clubs in the golf bag. Second, the golfer is inconvenienced by having to carry several loose clubs. Third, the clubs are typically laid on the ground while the golfer prepares to take the shot. This results in the golf clubs becoming wet and/or dirty, which may in turn effect how the golfer handles the club, and ultimately effect the golfer's performance.

[0008] It would be desirable to have a way to conveniently select and carry a subset of clubs in the golf bag which were suitable for use when the golf cart is not available during the approach to the green. In addition, it would be desirable to have a way to keep the golf clubs clean and dry when several of them are taken from the golf bag and used during the approach to the green.

[0009] Racks designed to carry golf clubs in place of a golf bag are also known. These racks are typically used on smaller golf courses (i.e., “pitch and putt” or “par 3” courses) which do not require a complete set of clubs. These racks tend to be bulky and would not be suitable for use in combination with golf bags.

[0010] It would be desirable to have a golf club carrier that can be used in conjunction with a conventional golf bag and which would accomplish the desired goals of preselection, ease-of-use, and maintaining the clubs in a clean and dry state when the golf club carrier is rested on the ground during the golfer's approach to the green.

[0011] While addressing the basic desirability of using golf bags, the prior art has failed to provide a device that allows selected golf clubs to be quickly and easily taken from a golf bag and carried to the location of the approach shots, which keeps the golf clubs clean and dry when the golfer places the golf club carrier on the ground when taking a shot with one of the clubs, and which props up the golf club carrier to facilitate easy insertion and removal of the golf clubs. In addition, the prior art has failed provide a device that can be quickly and easily removed from the golf bag and reinserted into the golf bag.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention solves the foregoing problems by providing a removable golf club carrier which is removably secured to a golf bag and which is designed to hold two or more golf clubs that are carried by the golfer away from the golf cart and golf bag when the golfer is making approach shots to the green. The golf club carrier has golf club storage compartments that are designed to hold individual golf clubs. The golf club carrier also has a handle which is used to hold and carry the golf club carrier when it is removed from the golf bag. The handle is also used to secure the golf club carrier to the golf bag by extending outward from the golf club carrier and over the edge of the golf bag when the golf club carrier is inserted into the golf bag. The golf club carrier has hinged legs which prop up the golf club carrier from the surface of the ground when the golfer extends the legs. The legs have sufficient length to maintain the golf club carrier in a substantially vertical position such that the golfer does not have to bend over to reach the clubs. When propped up, a golfer may insert or extract a golf club from the golf club carrier with the same ease that a club is extracted from or inserted into a conventional golf bag. The optional hinged stand prevents the golf club heads from becoming dirty or wet by preventing them from coming in contact with the ground when the golfer lays the golf club carrier down. The hinged legs rest adjacent to the body of the golf club carrier when in the retracted position. The retracted position is used when the golf club carrier is attached to a conventional golf bag, to a golf cart, or is being carried by the golfer. In addition, the golf club carrier can be used alone without a golf cart or a golf bag, as when the golfer is playing on a small course, such as a pitch and putt course.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 is a rear view of a preferred embodiment of the golf club carrier which illustrates the outer sleeve, the cap, and the optional hinged stand.

[0014]FIG. 2 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the golf club carrier which illustrates the outer sleeve, the cap, and the handle assembly.

[0015]FIG. 3 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the golf club carrier which shows the outer sleeve, the cap, the handle assembly, and the optional hinged stand in the closed position.

[0016]FIG. 4 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the golf club carrier which shows the outer sleeve, the cap, the handle assembly, and the optional hinged stand in the partially opened position.

[0017]FIG. 5 is a proximal end view of a preferred embodiment of the golf club carrier which illustrates the club storage compartments, the handle, and the optional hinged stand in the closed position.

[0018]FIG. 6 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the golf club carrier in which the golf club carrier is shown attached to a conventional golf bag.

[0019]FIG. 7 is illustrates a preferred embodiment of the golf club carrier which is laid on the ground with the optional hinged stand in the opened position and the golf club heads held above the surface of the ground.

[0020]FIG. 8 is a transparent side view of a preferred embodiment of the golf club carrier in which the handle is shown securing golf club carrier to the golf bag.

[0021]FIG. 9 is a side view of an alternative preferred embodiment of the golf club carrier in which pivotable legs are shown in the extended position holding up the golf club carrier in a substantially vertical orientation.

[0022]FIG. 10 is a bottom view of an alternative preferred embodiment of the golf club carrier in which pivotable legs are shown in the extended position.

[0023]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternative preferred embodiment of the golf club carrier in which pivotable legs are shown in the extended position.

[0024]FIG. 12 is a side view of an alternative preferred embodiment of the golf club carrier handle combined with a sleeve securing cap.

[0025]FIG. 13 is a top view of an alternative preferred embodiment of the golf club carrier with the pivotable legs in the retracted position.

[0026]FIG. 14 is a top cutaway view of an alternative preferred embodiment of the golf club carrier with the pivotable legs in the extended position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0027] A principal advantage of the invention is that it not only provides convenience for a golfer plane with a complete set of clubs and golf cart, it also allows the golfer to conveniently carry the small selection of clubs when the golfer is on a small course, such as a pitch and putt course. As a result, the invention can be used in combination with a conventional golf bag, or it can be used by itself without a conventional golf bag.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, this figure shows a rear view of a preferred embodiment of the golf club carrier 1 which illustrates the outer sleeve 5, the cap 2, and the optional hinged stand 3 which is attached to the handle 7 by a hinge 4. The cap 2 is attached to the optional outer sleeve 5 which is in turn attached to the handle 7. By attaching the cap 2, the optional outer sleeve 5, and the handle 7 in this manner, the shafts and handles of the golf clubs 10, 11 (shown in FIG. 6) are kept in a clean and dry storage area.

[0029] Also shown in this figure are the golf club storage compartments 8 which provide individual storage compartments for each golf club. By placing the optional outer sleeve 5 over the golf club storage compartments 8, the outside of the storage compartments are kept cleaner and the golf club carrier 1 can be removed and inserted into a golf bag 9 (shown in FIGS. 6 and 8) with less chance of becoming snagged by any obstructions. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the optional outer sleeve 5 can be fabricated from any suitable material. For example, it can be a solid sleeve made from plastic, metal, PVC, etc., or it can be made from flexible materials such as textiles, fabrics, nylon, canvas, etc.

[0030] Also shown in this figure is the optional stand 3 which is hingedly attached to the handle 7 via hinge 4. By attaching the optional stand in this manner, the optional stand 3 may be folded against the handle 7 to minimize space requirements when the golf club carrier 1 is inserted into a golf bag 9. The hinge 4 may be implemented as a spring loaded hinge, a frictional hinge, etc.

[0031] A principal advantage of using the golf club carrier 1 is that a golfer can preselect the golf clubs that the golfer prefers to use when making approach shots to the green. For example, the golfer without the golf club carrier 1 will typically park the golf cart at the side of the fairway, select the preferred clubs which typically would be a putter, a nine iron or a wedge, etc., and carry all those clubs by hand to the ball. When the golfer arrives at the ball, the golf club selected by the golfer will be held and the other clubs will be laid on the ground 12 (shown in FIG. 7) while the golfer swings at the ball. The golfer will then pick up the clubs and carry them to the new position of the ball. Each time this is done, the unused clubs are laid on the ground 12 where they are exposed to dirt and moisture. This may effect how the golfer holds the club, and if the club head is wet, it may effect how the club hits the ball.

[0032] The golf club carrier 1 eliminates the inconvenience of having to take the time to locate the appropriate golf cbibs used for the final approach to the green, and also keeps the clubs dry and clean for use by the golfer. The golfer needs only to select the clubs that the golfer uses and to place them in the golf club carrier 1 at the beginning of the round of golf. When the golfer nears the green, the golf cart can be parked at the appropriate location, the golfer can grab the golf club carrier 1 without taking time to select individual clubs and conveniently carry the clubs to the ball. Once the golfer reaches the ball, the golf club carrier 1 can be positioned on the ground 12 in the open, or leg extended, position which avoids having the shafts and handles of the clubs become wet or dirty. If the optional stand 3 is used, the proximal end of golf club carrier 1 is extended. As a result, the proximal end of the golf club carrier 1 will be raised above the surface of the ground 12 such that the heads of the golf clubs are prevented from contacting the ground 12 and becoming wet or dirty.

[0033] For ease of illustration, the golf club carrier 1 is illustrated as having two golf club storage compartments 8. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the number of golf club storage compartments 8 can vary. For example, the golf club carrier 1 can be constructed with storage compartments for a putter, a sand wedge, a pitching wedge, a nine iron, and even an eight iron. As a result, it is contemplated that the golf club carrier 1 would be fabricated in a number of configurations to suit the particular choice of an individual golfer. Preferably, the golf club carrier 1 should be able to conveniently attach to, or fit inside, a conventional golf bag 9 if one is used. Likewise, the golf club carrier 1 can be designed to hold a small set of clubs for a short game on a pitch and putt type course. This will allow the golf club carrier 1 to be used without the golf bag, golf cart, etc.

[0034]FIG. 2 is a front view of the embodiment of the golf club carrier 1 of FIG. 1. This figure illustrates the outer sleeve 5, the cap 2, and the handle assembly 7. As will be discussed more fully below, the handle 7 is used both to carry the golf club carrier 1 and to secure it to a golf bag 9.

[0035]FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment of the golf club carrier 1 which shows the outer sleeve 5, the cap 2, the handle assembly 7, and the optional hinged stand 3 in the closed position. This figure better illustrates how the handle 7 extends outward from the outer sleeve 5 and downward from the proximal end of the golf club carrier 1. By extending from the golf club carrier 1 in this manner, the handle 7 acts not only as a handle but also forms a hook. When the golf club carrier 1 is inserted into a conventional golf bag 9, the handle 7 fits over the top edge of the golf bag 9 and rests on the outside of the golf bag 9 to secure the golf club carrier ito the golf bag 9. In addition, this not only secures the golf club carrier 1 to the golf bag 9, but it also places the handle 7 in a position where it can be conveniently grasped by the golfer.

[0036] Alternatively, the golf club carrier 1 can also be designed such that it attaches to the outside of a conventional golf bag 9 and is secured by the handle 7 in the same manner. While this configuration works, it is not as secure has placing the golf club carrier 1 inside the golf bag 9.

[0037] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the golf club carrier 1 can be fabricated with a handle 7 and a separate device to secure the golf club carrier 1 to a golf bag 9. For example, hook and loop material could be used as well as a mechanical hook. However, the handle 7 provides more simplicity of design and ensures that the handle 7 is always conveniently located for grasping by the golfer.

[0038] This figure also illustrates the advantage of bingedly attaching the hinged stand 3. The hinged stand 3 is shown in the closed position, folded against the handle 7. This minimizes the space required when the golf club carrier 1 is inserted into the golf bag 9.

[0039] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the optional stand 3 does not have to be hingedly attached to perform its function. For example, the optional stand 3 can be fixedly attached, threaded on, attached via a pressure fit, etc. However, hinge attachment allows the optional stand to be stored in a more convenient manner and prevents its loss as may be the case in embodiments where the stand can be separated from the golf club carrier 1.

[0040] In the preferred embodiment, the handle 7, cap 2, and the optional stand 3 are molded for ease of manufacture, and the outer sleeve 6 is fabricated from fabric. However, as discussed above, the materials used to fabricate the various components can vary based on the manufacturer's design choices.

[0041]FIG. 4 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 which shows the optional hinged stand 3 in the partially opened position.

[0042]FIG. 5 is a proximal end view of a preferred embodiment of the golf club carrier 1 which illustrates the club storage compartments 8, the handle 7, and the optional hinged stand 3 in the closed position. In the preferred embodiment, the club storage compartments 8 are fabricated from plastic tubes which are commercially available for use with golf bags. When the golfer selects the golf clubs 10, 11 that are to be inserted into the golf club carrier 1, the handle of the golf club 10 or 11 is inserted into the golf club storage compartment 8 and the golf club 10 or 11 is slid into the golf club storage compartment 8 such that only the head of the golf club and a short section of its shaft extends from the golf club storage compartment 8.

[0043] This figure illustrates to club storage compartments 8. Another advantage of the invention is that an individual may customize the golf club carrier 1 by using a detachable replaceable inner portion of the golf club carrier 1 which allows club storage compartments 8 to be added or deleted as desired by the user. In addition, the golf club carrier 1 can be designed which contains multiple club storage compartments 8 (for example, five or six club storage compartments 8) and which has removable caps (not shown) which can be used to close particular club storage compartments 8 when fewer clubs are used than the number of available club storage compartments 8. The removal caps will prevent dirt accumulation in the sleeves when not in use.

[0044]FIG. 6 is a side view of a conventional golf bag 9 in which a preferred embodiment of the golf club carrier 1 is attached to it. As can be seen from this figure, when the golf club carrier 1 is inserted into the golf bag, the handle 7 projects outward from the edge of the golf bag 9 so that it can be easily grasped by the golfer. In addition, the figure also illustrates how the handle 7 extends over the edge of the golf bag 9 such that it secures the golf club carrier 1 to the golf bag 9. This figure illustrates a two club golf club carrier 1 which holds an iron 10 and a putter 11.

[0045]FIG. 7 is a side view that illustrates a preferred embodiment of the golf club carrier 1 in which the golf club carrier 1 is laid on the ground 12 with the optional hinged stand 3 in the open position and the heads of golf clubs 10, 11 held above the surface of the ground 12. As can be seen this figure, the use of the golf club carrier 1 in this manner prevents any part of the golf clubs 10, 11 from coming in contact with ground 12 which results in the golf clubs 10, 11 remaining clean and dry.

[0046] The golf club carrier 1 can be constructed such that the handle 7 and the optional stand 3 are on the same side of the golf club carrier 1, or even constructed such that the handle 7 performs the function of the optional stand 3. However, this figure illustrates how placement of the handle 7 on the opposite side of the golf club carrier 1 results in the handle 7 being in a convenient location for grasping by the golfer after the golfer hits the golf ball and is ready to move on. For that reason, the preferred embodiment has the handle 7 and the optional stand 3 on opposite sides of the golf club carrier 1. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the golf club carrier 1 can be fabricated without the optional stand 3. However, this eliminates one of the advantages of the golf club carrier 1 in that, when laid on the ground 12, the heads of the golf clubs 10, 11 will come in contact with the surface of the ground 12.

[0047]FIG. 8 is a transparent side view of a preferred embodiment of the golf club carrier 1 in which the handle 7 is shown securing golf club carrier 1 to the golf bag 9. As can be seen, the handle 7 projects outside of, and below, the upper edge of the golf bag 9. In this manner; the handle 7 acts not only as a handle, but also as the securing mechanism to hold the golf club carrier 1 in place against the golf bag 9.

[0048]FIG. 9 is a side view of an alternative preferred embodiment of the golf club carrier 1 in which pivotable legs 13 are shown in the extended position holding up the golf club carrier 1 in a substantially vertical orientation. The golf club carrier 1 has a proximal end 14 and a distal end 15. The pivotable legs 13 are attached to the golf carrier 1 near the proximal end 14. As a result, when the golf club carrier 1 is positioned with the distal end 15 on the ground and the pivotable legs 13 in the extended position, the pivotable legs 13 prop up the golf carrier 1 such that the outer sleeve 5 has a substantially vertical orientation.

[0049] The extended length of pivotable legs 13 allows the golf club carrier 1 to be substantially accessible from a standing position by a golfer when the golf club carrier 1 is propped up by pivotable legs 13. This is a substantial improvement over previously discussed embodiments which were positioned in a substantially horizontal position that required the golfer to bend over to reach the clubs.

[0050] Also shown in this figure is leg securing means 16. When the golfer wishes to move on, the pivotable legs 13 are held back against the outer sleeve 5. Those skilled in the art will recognize that pivotable legs 13 can be secured without leg securing means 16 through the use of a spring assembly, a spring loaded cam, etc. However, the preferred embodiment envisions a positive securing device, namely the leg securing means 16, at the distal end of the golf club carrier 1. The leg securing means 16 can be any suitable method of securing the pivotable legs 13. For example, leg securing means 16 can be a strap fabricated from hook and loop material, matching pieces of hook and loop material can be applied to both the pivotable legs 13 and the outer sleeve 5, matching magnets can be used to magnetically secure pivotable legs 13 to the outer sleeve 5, mechanical clamps can be used, etc.

[0051] Also shown in this figure are optional leg extensions 20. By having one or more light extensions 20, the leg extensions 20 can telescope inside one another which allows them to be stored in a more compact fashion. More important, by using telescoping leg extensions 20, the user can adjust the length of the legs 13 such that the angle of the golf club carrier 1, when in the open position, can be adjusted to suit the particular taste of the user.

[0052]FIG. 10 is a bottom view of an alternative preferred embodiment of the golf club carrier 1 in which pivotable legs 13 are shown in the extended position. This figure illustrates the pivotable legs 13 extending laterally from the longitudinal length of the outer sleeve 5. By extending in a lateral direction, the tips of the pivotable legs 13 and the distal end 15 of the outer sleeve 5 form a three point triangle which gives the golf club carrier 1 stability while resting on the ground.

[0053]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternative preferred embodiment of the golf club carrier 1 in which pivotable legs 13 are shown in the extended position. This figure illustrates the lateral extension of pivotable legs 13 from the longitudinal length of the outer sleeve 5.

[0054]FIG. 12 is a side view of an alternative preferred embodiment of the golf club carrier handle 7 combined with a sleeve securing cap 17. This combination of handle 7 and sleeve securing cap 17 allows multiple club storage compartments 8 to be easily attached to sleeve securing cap 17. By designing sleeve securing caps 17 in several sizes (i.e. with a preselected number of apertures for club storage compartments), an individual golfer can also have the ability to design a personalized golf club carrier 1 by selecting a sleeve securing cap 17 with the desired number of apertures, inserting the appropriate number of club storage compartments 8 into the sleeve securing cap 17, and securing the distal end of the golf club carrier 1 with an end cap that has the appropriate number of club storage compartment 8 apertures.

[0055]FIG. 13 is a top view of an alternative preferred embodiment of the golf club carrier 1 with the pivotable legs 13 in the retracted position. When in the retracted position, the pivotable legs 13 will rest adjacent the outer sleeve 5 such that they do not interfere with the golfer when the golfer is transporting the golf club carrier 1. This figure also illustrates a top view of the sleeve securing cap 17 which is attached to a pair of club storage compartments 8. For ease of illustration, only two club storage compartments 8 were shown. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that additional club storage compartments 8 can be added to suit a particular golfer's desires. When used, the golf club shafts will be inserted into apertures 18.

[0056]FIG. 14 is a top cutaway view of an alternative preferred embodiment of the golf club carrier 1 with the pivotable legs 13 in the extended position. In this figure, the pivotable legs 13 are attached by hinges 19. When the pivotable legs 13 are extended, they pivot on hinges 19 and extend outward and laterally from the longitudinal direction of the outer sleeve 5.

[0057] As can be seen, the use of lengthened pivotable legs 13 provides a golfer with the ability to stand the golf club carrier 1 in a substantially vertical position which allows greater comfort for the golfer and ease of use when inserting or extracting a golf club from the golf club carrier 1. In addition, by designing the pivotable legs 13 such that they rest substantially against the body of the outer sleeve 5, they do not interfere with movement of the golf club carrier 1 and take a minimal amount of space.

[0058] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the pivoting mechanism can be implemented in a variety of ways. For example, it can be a simple badge such as that illustrated in FIG. 14, but it can also be a spring loaded device which automatically extends the pivotable legs 13 when they are released from the leg securing means 16. Likewise, the pivoting mechanism can also be implemented as a cam device which secures the pivotable legs 13 in either the extended or retracted positions. The pivoting legs 13 can also be designed such that they are extendable in length. By allowing the length of the pivotable legs 13 to be extended, the golfer can have additional control over the relative vertical angle of the golf club carrier 1 when it is standing on the ground.

[0059] While the invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit, scope, and teaching of the invention. For example, the material used to construct the golf club carrier may be anything suitable for its intended use, the size and shape of the golf club carrier as well as the number of clubs it may hold and vary. The pivotable legs used to prop up the golf club carrier can use a variety of hinge mechanisms, and may have extendable legs. 

I claim:
 1. A golf club carrier, further comprising: golf club storage compartment having a plurality of sleeves, each sleeve sized to store the shaft of a conventional golf club; at least two legs, further comprising: means to attach the proximal end of each leg to the golf club storage compartment; the legs having a closed position wherein the distal end of the legs are in proximity to the golf club storage compartment, can open position wherein the distal end of the legs are extended outward from the golf club storage compartment; and each leg having a length, when pivoted away from the golf club storage compartment, that is sufficient to support the golf club storage compartment at an angle sufficient to allow a golfer to insert or remove a golf club without bending over; and a handle having means to be grasped by a golfer, the handle further having means to secure the golf club carrier to a golf bag.
 2. A golf club carrier, as in claim 1,wherein the proximal ends of the legs are hingedly attached to the golf club storage compartment.
 3. A golf club carrier, as in claim 2, wherein: the legs pivot at their proximal ends from the open position to the closed position such that they can be stored in close proximity to the golf club carrier when in a closed position, and extended outward at the distal end when in the open position; and means to secure the distal ends of the legs to the golf club carrier.
 4. A golf club carrier, as in claim 3, wherein a spring loaded hinge is used to attach the legs to the golf club storage compartment.
 5. A golf club carrier, as in claim 3, wherein a manually operated hinge is used to attach the legs to the golf club storage compartment.
 6. A golf club carrier, as in claim 5, wherein a friction hinge is used as the manually operated hinge to hold the legs in position.
 7. A golf club carrier, as in claim 6, wherein: the legs are extendable; and the angle of the golf club carrier when the legs are extended can be adjusted by extending the length of the legs.
 8. A golf club carrier, as in claim 1, wherein: the legs are extendable; and the angle of the golf club carrier when the legs are extended can be adjusted by extending the length of the legs.
 9. A golf club carrier, as in claim 8,wherein the proximal ends of the legs are hingedly attached to the golf club storage compartment.
 10. A golf club carrier, as in claim 9, wherein: the legs pivot at their proximal ends from the open position to the closed position such that they can be stored in close proximity to the golf club carrier when in a closed position, and extended outward at the distal end when in the open position; and means to secure the distal ends of the legs to the golf club carrier.
 11. A golf club carrier, as in claim 10, wherein a spring loaded hinge is used to attach the legs to the golf club storage compartment.
 12. A golf club carrier, as in claim 10, wherein a manually operated hinge is used to attach the legs to the golf club storage compartment.
 13. A golf club carrier, as in claim 1, further comprising: means to alter the number of available sleeves.
 14. A golf club carrier, as in claim 13, further comprising: means to seal unused sleeves.
 15. A golf club carrier, as in claim 14, wherein the means to seal unused sleeves are removable caps.
 16. A method of preselecting and transporting a limited subset of golf clubs, including the steps of: selecting a subset of golf clubs from a set of golf clubs and separating them from the set of golf clubs; storing the selected subset of golf clubs in a golf club carrier; carrying the golf club carrier to location of the golf ball; and using at least two legs to prop up the golf club carrier that a sufficient angle to allow one of the selected subset of golf clubs to be removed from the golf club carrier without the golfer having to bend over.
 17. A method, as in claim 16, including the additional steps of: using a handle attached to the golf club carrier to transport the golf club carrier, and secure in the golf club carrier to a golf bag with the handle.
 18. A method, as in claim 16, including the additional step of attaching the legs to the golf club carrier such that they are retracted during transport.
 19. A method, as in claim 18, including the additional step of making the legs extendable such that a golfer can vary the length of the legs to adjust the angle at which the golf club carrier is propped up.
 20. A method, as in claim 16, including the additional steps of: providing means to alter the number of clubs that may be carried by the golf club carrier. 